Why does the religious right in the US condemn fantasy, according to Cockrell
(2004)? On what grounds does Cockrell defend fantasy literature,
using Harry Potter as an example?
According to Cockrell (2004) the religious rights in the US condemn fantasy as
a corruption of young minds and has underlining messages of witchcraft and
satanism. Cockrell trys to defend the fantasy genre of literature especially
the works of Harry Potter which is a key target. Cockrell (2004) says
“What is it about Harry Potter?” (p.24). why not target a different film or novel.
Harry Potter is no different to many other fantasy works such as The Lord of
the Rings, The Wizard of Oz or The Wizard of Earthsea.
Cockrell (2004) tries to justify these religious rights claims by saying it could be
because Harry Potter is everywhere. That for its popularity there are consequences.
But Harry Potter is only everywhere because of huge marketing compaigns, not because
of satan. Certain views of fantasy believe that it will lead to bad behaviour in
children and that parents need to protect their children from the evils of the fantasy world.
And to the extreme that the lightning bolt scar on Harry's forward is instead an S for Satan.
Cockrell (2004) explains that perhaps these groups are targeting Harry Potter as it feels to close to home. Unlike other fantasies which have their separate worlds Harry's character was brought up in England and almost like the basis of science fiction they can convince the reader that it is possible to have these two worlds England and Hogwarts. Cockrell (2004) mentions the views from demonbuster.com whos views are that Harry Potter exposes children to rebellious ideas of going against their parents and questioning their authority by putting spells on them. Just like when Harry Potter goes against his muggle Aunt and Uncle who could also been seen as portraying the role of the religious community.
Cockrell (2004) gives an examples of these anti fantasy views from the Fundamentalist Chrisitan Parents Association and up to exposingsatanism.org which people say they were involved in witchcraft and can identify it when they see it. It seems with each example Cockrell gives she is making fun of their ridiculous claims (or perhaps this is just me). Surely people realise that there is no such thing as magic and that there is only illusions and peoples imagination.It seems to me that these groups of people are worried that the young generation is so captivated by the Harry Potter series that it must be brainwashing children into wizards and witches.
What is well put by a Chrisitian Libriarn Kimbra Wilder Gish that Cockrell (2004) quotes "when you believe that witches and occult practises are real, and contrary to God's laws, those books are quite different from what the authors probably intended." (p.26).
And therefore no matter what the authors intentions are, their work be it fantasy will always be seen as dangerious or works of satan if those are the views of such people.
References:
Cockrell, A. (2004). Harry Potter and the Witch Hunters: a social context for
the attacks on Harry Potter. The Journal of American Culture, Vol 29, No 1
Good post Jenna. The content of this weeks material really annoyed me though. I agree with what you have said about the author appearing condescending towards people with 'magical' abilities - who is to know what is real and not real, given we see upside down and believe fully in wind (which is invisible)?
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter is targeted for two reasons: its popularity and its low fantasy setting, but I believe the first is the most damning reason. Religious fundamentalists see Harry as a threat, especially as the ridiculous marketing campaigns have made Harry such a favourite. And of course there are the labels 'witch' and 'wizard', and the many links to magic regarding nature, which borrows much from Gnosticism, a belief system extinguished by Christianity in the early ages. I believe that the fact harry Potter is a low fantasy means that readers find it easier to relate and believe the story, and is not what fans the Harry Potter fires. Harry's dominance over the literary/film canons are what I personally believe are the true reasons for such hatred.